Twenty-one more people succumbed to Japanese encephalitis on Thursday in eastern Uttar Pradesh, taking the death toll to 374 even as the Centre promised all help to the state to check the spread of killer brain fever.

Ninety-seven fresh cases were reported in Gorakhpur and Basti districts since last evening, Additional Director (Health) D P Mishra said.

Altogether 1483 patients, mostly children below 14 years, were undergoing treatment in different hospitals since the outbreak of the disease, he said.

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The Maharganj district was the worst hit, accounting for 94 deaths followed by Gorakhpur-- 77 and Kushinagar-- 64.

"There is no dearth of funds and the Centre will provide whatever the state government demands," Union Health Minister Ambumami Ramadoss said after visiting affected areas.

He said the Centre would formulate both short term and long-term strategies to tackle the disease, which had acquired epidemic proportions.

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Fogging in affected areas, catching of pigs and distribution of mosquito nets were among the short-term steps, the minister said.

The long-term measures included awareness campaigns and mass vaccination, he said.

The Centre with the help of World Health Organisation and the state government would establish a surveillance office to monitor the spread of the disease, Ramadoss said.